Council to fund 50 new Police Community Support Officers
Ealing could have an additional 50 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) on the beat if a ground-breaking new agreement between Ealing Council and the Metropolitan Police Service is reached.
The council is finalising the details of a £2 million investment programme over two years to fund the extra PCSOs, who will focus on improving community safety, crime reduction and cracking down on anti-social behaviour and envirocrime.
The 50 officers will be entirely dedicated to working across the borough, with the initial deployment due to commence in May, and the full complement expected to be in place by the end of October.
Council Leader Jason Stacey said: “This is a ground-breaking new initiative for Ealing as funding for the new PCSOs is coming from the council. It will be a significant boost to the resources that go into reducing crime and tackling anti-social behaviour and envirocrime.”
The new PCSOs will be in addition to those that were deployed within the Safer Neighbourhoods Teams last year. Ealing is also getting an additional 18 transport PCSOs to work on buses and the London Underground.
The Borough Commander of Ealing Police will have responsibility for the recruitment, training and day-to-day management of the PCSOs.
Ealing Borough Commander Colette Paul said: “I am delighted that the council and Ealing Police have worked together so hard to fund 50 PCSOs. Having this number of people to reduce crime and deal with anti-social behaviour will have significant benefits for all those who live, work and visit Ealing borough.”
The Safer Ealing Partnership will coordinate the work of the new PCSOs. The PCSO Service will be separate from the Safer Neighbourhoods Teams but will complement the crime prevention work that they do.
A report providing details of the PCSO service will go to Cabinet on Tuesday, 27 February and will be put forward for final approval at the Budget meeting of Full Council on Tuesday 6 March.
February 22, 2007
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